It’s only their first preseason game, but the New York Giants looked like an actual football team. After years of some of the worst football television had to offer, it feels like things might finally be turning around.
The G-Men took their talents to upstate New York in a preseason clash with the Buffalo Bills. While reigning MVP Josh Allen wasn’t on the field for the contest, the Bills did play some of their starters early on, giving Big Blue a semi-legitimate taste of what their brutal 2025 schedule has to offer.
Related: 4 telling observations from Jaxson Dart's preseason showing vs the Bills
Well, one 34-25 victory later, and it’s clear this team has already separated itself from the teams of old. There’s a ton to still work out, but early signs indicate this team is finally on the right track. Here are the Giants’ winners and losers from an electric first preseason game.
Biggest winners and losers from Giants preseason opener against the Bills
Winner No. 1: Mike Kafka back on the headset
Don’t look now, but Big Blue might finally have an offense worth watching. The most electric play of the game came from the rookie QB who rode Lil’Jordan Humphrey’s go route straight into the end zone for six. Before you say, “It’s only preseason,” take the wins when you can get them, because for the first time in forever, this team was able to move the ball down the field with relative consistency.
Kafka’s playcalling didn’t stop at one touchdown. The team that averaged 16 points per game last season doubled that total and then some, scoring 34 on the Bills. They dominated the time of possession (36:19 to 23:41) and put up 396 yards of total offense. Not bad for mostly second- and third-stringers. It looks like giving Kafka play-calling duties paid off instantly.
Winner No. 2: Turbo time
We’ll try to get through this section as fast as Dante “Turbo” Miller, because words barely do justice to the impact he had. The 26-year-old second-year running back was everywhere — 22 rushing yards, 80 receiving yards, and 20 kick return yards. If he keeps producing like this, the coaching staff will have no choice but to keep him around.
Winner No. 3: Giants fans
Big Blue Nation hasn’t had a lot to cheer about over the past decade or so. But Saturday changed the tune. Yes, it’s only a preseason game. But it was also so much more than that. Dart looked good, Kafka’s offense was humming, and they will only keep getting better.
It’d be one thing to come out and lay a dud. That was the likely expectation. But you know what happens when you assume... Giants fans have every reason to feel like a winner. Let it fly.
Extra winner: Jaxson Dart
Jaxson Dart made his first NFL appearance and didn’t disappoint. His raw stats were impressive — 12 completions, 154 yards, and a touchdown — but it was his poise and arm talent that popped. By all accounts, the 22-year-old looked great for a “developmental quarterback.” Don’t look now, but the rookie might just be what finally gets this team out of this endless pit of misery.
Extra extra winner: Graham Gano-he didn't
Hitting three field goals as a kicker isn't exactly newsworthy. It's kind of their only job. But hammering three 50-yard-plus is flat-out impressive. Shoutout to the 38-year-old who hasn't looked like himself these past couple of years.
Loser No. 1: James Hudson, OT
James Hudson was brought in this offseason to be the swing tackle this team has missed for... forever. He's made a lot of headlines this offseason for his fisticuffs and serious demeanor, but not necessarily for his play. Now we know why.
Before the Giants could cap off their opening drive with a field goal, Hudson was assessed two individual penalties: one false start and one holding call. With a serious need for reliable backup linemen, it was a rocky start Hudson didn’t need. Call it preseason jitters, but Daboll is not a guy who’ll reward players with playing time if they’re committing penalties, even when the games don’t matter.
Loser No. 2: Giants' shoddy pass defense
Another day, another defensive struggle. At first, it looked like the run defense was going to be the headache. But once Bills RB Ty Johnson left the game, it felt like a natural course-correction. The pass defense, however... woof.
No team can make a QB room consisting of Mitch Trubisky, Mike White, and Shane Buechele look like a Pro Bowl roster quite like the Giants. When it was all said and done, the team gave up 331 passing yards and two touchdowns. The stats won’t tell the whole story: blown coverages, missed assignments, and poor communication plagued the secondary early and often.
General manager Joe Schoen spent the early portion of free agency upgrading the secondary. Let’s hope the expensive investments won’t have as much ground to cover once the regular season comes around.